There are essential basic human needs that we all require to survive, such as food, water, medical care, shelter and clothing to name a few. In the Northeast, especially in Maine, we also require heat to sustain us during the cold of winter. As we contemplate the upcoming winter heating season and what it will mean in terms of affordability and availability of fuel oil, especially for our neediest citizens: the elderly, those on fixed incomes, low income families with children and the poor. One has to wonder what Congress and the president were thinking when they gave the oil industry in this country over $6 billion in tax incentives this summer as part of the 2005 Energy Bill and, at the same time, made no plans to increase funding for home heating assistance for our most vulnerable citizens despite the increasing costs of fuel oil.
As gas prices were climbing to over $3 a gallon this summer, and consumers pockets were being emptied, bank accounts drained and credit card debt escalating, big oil announced record third quarter profits: Exxon Mobil, $9.92 billion; British Petroleum, $6.53 billion; Royal Dutch Shell, $9.03 billion and Chevron, a mere $3.6 billion. With these record profits in hand, one has to wonder why the oil industry needs $6 billion more out of our pockets in a time of impending crisis for many here in Maine.
Last year, 386 households in Westbrook were provided fuel assistance through the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program. They received fuel assistance benefits totaling $141,331. On average, Maine homes that qualified last year received approximately $426 in fuel assistance. That amount won’t fill an oil tank once this year with prices as they are. Currently, funding for the program comes from the federal government and is managed and distributed by the Maine State Housing Authority to regional Community Action Programs. In Cumberland County, that agency is the Peoples Regional Opportunity Program. Federal funding for the energy assistance program is currently based on last year’s appropriation. Last year was considered a mild winter and fuel costs were much lower than this year.
Currently, the average state home heating fuel cost per gallon is $2.16 per gallon, with that price surely to rise as we get into the heating season and supply and demand take over. I have read that home heating fuel costs could be 40 percent to 50 percent higher than the cost of fuel oil last year. With winter approaching and despite the increased need and cost for our most vulnerable here in Maine, Congress has yet to appropriate increased funding, despite several attempts in the U.S. Senate to amend bills recently, specifically asking for increased funding for fuel assistance. Instead, they decided to give the Oil Industry a $6 billion tax break in light of the fact that the oil industry is currently sitting on some of the largest profits ever recorded. This is pure neglect on the part of the president as well as members of Congress who continue to block increased funding. This is pure greed on the part of the oil industry. The neediest in Maine cannot wait any longer for gamesmanship to be played out in Washington. Our tax dollars appropriated to big oil should be brought back to where they are most needed and utilized to offset heating costs through the energy assistance program.
My estimation is that there will be great need here in Westbrook this winter as well as throughout the less affluent towns, cities and counties across this state. In Westbrook, my concern for need is based on the facts that nearly 50 percent of our school children in the district are eligible for free and reduced lunch. That we have a large housing stock that is old and less efficient to heat. That we have many elderly and retirees who are on fixed incomes.
I have met with representatives from the Peoples Regional Opportunity Program, City Administrator Jerre Bryant and Rene Daniel of the Westbrook Housing Authority to discuss possible local initiatives to raise funds to help offset the cost of heating oil for those in need this winter. The funds raised would be directed to the Peoples Regional Opportunity Program and specifically put into an account for Westbrook residents only. That way the money raised in Westbrook would be distributed as oil purchased for Westbrook’s neediest citizens. Any funds donated to this account would be tax decuctible.
These are tough times. This is a community issue. Those in need are our neighbors. With winter approaching, I feel we cannot wait to see who comes to the aid of those in need in Westbrook. We need to come together as a community, to find warmth in our hearts so that those less fortunate will have warmth in their homes this winter.
If you have an interest in helping with this initiative, have questions or would like to donate to the fund you may call me at 856-7014 or e-mail me at tdrisco1@maine.rr.com. To donate directly to the fund make checks out to “Keep ME Warm Fund” with “Westbrook Residents” written in the memo line. Send your check to the Peoples Regional Opportunity Program at 510 Cumberland Ave., Portland, Maine 04101.
Tim Driscoll represents Westbrook’s District 126 in the state Legislature.
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